China is fast becoming the power of the 21st century. The question then arises: how will China meet the challenges and responsibilities that befit such a position. For many centuries China has professed no interest in being a world power fearful of being branded an imperialist. The reality of becoming a world power has put China into the position of re-evaluation its past stance and policy.

It is with this in mind that the Association for Chinese Studies in Ireland (ACSI) is organizing its fourth conference, entitled ‘China Rising: Soft Power Meets Hard Realities’ The Conference will be held in University College Dublin, Belfield.